THE NEW IRON ME

Just like getting married and having children, Ironman was a life-changing event for me. The full effects are still hidden from me but I feel differently and I think differently than I did before Ironman.

There's a saying around Ironman: "Anything is possible!" And it is. I have attained a goal that two years ago was an impossibility for me. Since I've completed Ironman I feel as if I can do whatever I set my mind to.

You probably know my story: Two years ago I couldn't swim, couldn't run a mile without walking but I fantasized about participating in the Ironman World Championship. An event where everyone who participates in it has to qualify for. You can't just pay your money and enter. You have to earn your way there and two years ago that was impossible for me.

Although back then my only goal was to compete in an Olympic-distance triathlon, (just under a mile swim, just under 25 mile bike, and 6.2 mile run.) I spent every day working on my weaknesses. I learned to swim - not fast but I learned enough not to drown. I also learned to run at least 6 miles without walking - much. I did everything I could do to overcome the things I had control over. I had to let those things go that I couldn't control and focus on those I could.

Step by step I accomplished my goals and created new goals - longer triathlons and faster times until I actually qualified for the world championship. Of course I kept my goals realistic. I knew that I wouldn't win my age group in most triathlons so I focused on just getting the best time I could for the shape I was in. All of that led to completing my first Ironman.

Now there's a new me in town. Iron Me. A person who knows anything is possible. Who, even at my age, knows there are new undiscovered adventures in life and I'm searching for them.

The new Iron Me includes my new Ironman tat. I'm still trying to decide which hurt more; doing Ironman or getting the tattoo. Yeah, I know, branding my body with a corporate symbol is selling out to the man, but I figure this brand means more to me than just a corporate symbol.

To me this tat represents the day I conquered fear and came face-to-face with who I really am. The day I fought a few inner demons for 12 hours and 42 minutes and won. It represents the day I swam 2.4 miles, biked 112 miles then ran a marathon. The day I became an Ironman. It was a good day.

Can you hear it? Life is calling.